wink's gym

Smart Girl Self Defense class, this Saturday at Wink's Gym

This thoroughly enjoyable video from a surveillance camera in Moscow is only satisfying, unfortunately, because women are typically vulnerable to the boundless assholishness of men.

In an attempt to counteract this sad reality, a very cool class is being taught this Saturday, August 3rd, at Wink’s Gym in the Northeast Heights (7610 Carmel, near Wyoming and Paseo). The class, Smart Girl Self-Defense, combines fighting skills with mental tactics on how to think on your feet and derive power from fear. It’s taught by husband and wife team Mike and Heather Winkeljohn.

Mike is the striking coach at Jackson/Winkeljohn MMA, where many of the world’s top fighters come to train. Heather has a degree in psychology with an emphasis on the psychology of abuse.

Together, they’ve put together a course that teaches women to use their brains to stay out of trouble, and defending themselves if a physical confrontation is unavoidable.

Saturday’s course is part of a two-part series. Signing up or completing the other portion is a prerequisite for Saturday’s class. Call 505-822-6326 for more details.

Smart Girl Self Defense

Women's self-defense is a huge market. From pepper spray to whistles to purses that conceal snub-nosed pistols, the industry's got you covered with tools to keep you safe. But sometimes the best tool is the one that won't rust or fail when you need it most: your own instinct. The folks at Wink's Gym invite all women 14-and-up to join their "Smart Girl Self Defense" class tomorrow. World-renowned martial arts coach Mike Winkeljohn and his wife Heather teach this class designed to help participants learn practical self-defense, not based on physical strength, but rather the power of listening to your gut. There will be fun activities including a raffle with prizes and the chance to meet and talk with a local detective. The cost is $100 per person or $80 person with a group of 4 or more, so grab a few friends and get to defending. Wink's Gym • Sat Jul 13 • 9 am-3 pm • $80-$100 • ALL-AGES! • View on Alibi calendar

Holly Holm to take her third MMA fight

In recent years, Bellator fighting championships has solidified its hold as the nation’s #2 Mixed Martial Arts promotion, behind only the UFC in terms of revenue and exciting fights. Well, revenue, anyway. After last Thursday’s Bellator 90, in which there were six fights and six finishes on the main card alone, Bellator has strengthened an already compelling argument that it can deliver the goods.

This coming Thursday, Feb 28—as in, the day after tomorrow—Bellator is coming to the Santa Ana Star Casino in Bernalillo. Several local fighters are on the card, including boxer Holly Holm, who will be taking her third MMA fight against Katie Merrill.

Holm comes in as a favorite, at least in terms of hometown sentiment and big fight experience. But in the world of MMA, both Holm and Merrill are newbies. Merrill has a ground game, if she can get the fight there. Holm, one would expect, wants to keep it standing. The decorated boxer has a mean kicking game as well as boxing, having ended her first MMA fight via kicks to her opponents’ legs. Holm’s world-class striking will be a lethal asset as long as she can stay on her feet. If she gets tested on her back, the hometown crowd will surely be gritting its teeth.

However evenly matched it is, Holm has the most to lose. Just ask Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, who came in as a heavy favorite and ended up on the wrong end of a highlight-reel knockout. “Mo” came out with his hands low, as if he believed merely having Jeff Mayweather in his corner would grant him powers of immunity. Emanuel Newton ended that fantasy with a perfectly placed spinning backfist that hit the “off switch” as perfectly as a single punch could.

Holm, we assume, won’t be bogged down with that kind of hubris, even though she has an even better striking coach in her corner, Mike Winkeljohn. And I can attest that she will come in shape. I saw her last night at Wink’s Gym, where she trains and teaches a weekly cardio heavy bag class. (She won’t be teaching this Thursday; the gym will be closed because everyone will be at the fight).

She wasn’t there to train last night, but to hold pads for a teammate. I briefly chatted with her, and she was relaxed. She may have a lot more to lose than her opponent, but if she couldn’t handle that kind of pressure, she wouldn’t be a fighter.

Tomorrow, look here for updates on some of the other local fighters on Thursday’s Bellator card at Santa Ana Star.